I've had 24 pages added to my passport on two occasions. The first time was in Hanoi and the second time was in Jerusalem. Both times took about 3 hours. Hanoi was free and in Jerusalem it cost $82.

You are aware that the $82 fee is new? Adding pages used to be free.

I need some passport page advice. In late August, I will be going around the world with the HKG-IST-LAX deal. I also plan on going to China to visit a friend who is moving there and probably going to Macau also and probably transiting somewhere in Asia.

My passport expires in June 2014, and I have 2 completely empty pages that are not adjacent to each other and about 11 boxes remaining aside from the two blank pages.

1) Will I need to get additional pages for this trip if I need a China visa, a Turkey visa, and entry/exit stamps for China, Hong Kong, Turkey, and probably Macau?

2) How worn is "too worn" for additional pages? My passport (issued in 2004) is slightly wrinkled, but the binding is fully intact, and there isn't any water damage.

3) If I get additional pages, should I get it expedited for an additional $60 based on my timeline and need for a Chinese Visa? I live in Houston and would be able to personally go to the consulate.

4) Or should I just apply for a new passport for this trip or wait afterward?

Thanks for any insight!

1. Besed on your description you could probably get away w/o any new pages at this point, you need a page for the Chinese visa, but a Turkish visa can be placed anywhere, none of the countries you list are particular about where they place entry and exit stamps.

2. If you are in HK, I would suggest you get both your extra pages and Chinese visa there, both are faster in HK.

Thanks for your response and advice ^. I will hold off on adding extra pages. I will be going to HK after Shanghai, so I will have to get my Chinese visa here. I plan to be in Shanghai for a number of days, and the US Consul website makes it seem like adding pages is pretty easy to do, so I will try to remember to make an appointment while I am there.

I was looking for the website that you posted and was unable to get to it. I noticed that the post was in 2008, do you know if ordering your passport with 48 pages is still a possibility or has the government changed its regulations?

They are now offering the larger, 52 page (ca. 48 pages for stamps) edition again. Just check the appropriate box on the application form. There is no extra charge.

You just check the box on the application to request the larger book

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/5...ssoprtcopy.jpg

I requested this when I renewed my passport last January. I had filled up about half of a normal sized passport and half of one set of additional pages in less than two years - in other words traveling at a pace of 1 regular passport every two years.

I received a normal size passport back despite my request. Perhaps it was due to the expedited nature of my renewal request, but keep in mind regardless of your request they may give you a regular sized one. Pretty annoying, as I am just about at the point where I need to add more pages again.

Mistakes happen of course. Did you call to complain?

Renewal question
 

My current passport expires in Jan 2013. If I send it in for renewal on Oct 15, 2012, and I get it back, say, on Nov 15, 2012, will the new expiration date be in Jan 2023, or will it be in Oct or Nov 2022?
In other words, will I lose a couple of months of future validity?

Thanks for any insight.

It's 10 years from when it is issued.

Most countries require six-months passport validity upon entry which renders your Jan 2013 passport unusable. You should get it renewed ASAP. The ten-year validity is based on date of issue, hence you will get one valid until Oct/Nov 2022.

With issue date likely being in October or November 2012, expiration date would probably be October/November 2022 if this application is for an ordinary primary US passport for an adult US citizen.

Many countries do indeed have requirements about a passport being valid for the duration of a visit and/or longer; however, for many long-haul international travels by US citizens, the travel is largely to countries where US passports are considered valid for entry even on the last day of validity as printed in the passport.